Appleseed Coming to American Theaters

Geneon Ent. will be releasing the highly anticipated anime feature APPLESEED to the theaters in the U.S. Opening Jan. 14, 2005, in select cities, the film is based on the manga story by Masamune Shirow (GHOST IN THE SHELL) and directed by Shinji Aramaki (BUBBLEGUM CRISIS). APPLESEED features a groundbreaking animation style, "3D Live Anime," utilizing motion capture animation techniques. The film was released theatrically in Japan earlier this year.

"Long before its debut during the American Film Market in February, the buzz about APPLESEED has grown at a rapid rate," said Yosuke Kobayashi, president/ceo, Geneon Ent. "The animation style is like none other, and anime gurus, curious fans and general audiences will be attracted to this amazing sci-fi adventure."

The film was produced by Fumihiko Sori, whose credits include CG animation work on TITANIC and directing the international sleeper hit PING PONG. The soundtrack features an eclectic mix of music from around the world, including new tracks created by Japanese artists Boom Boom Satellites, world-renowned DJ/producer Paul Oakenfold (MATRIX RELOADED, SWORDFISH), Ryuichi Sakamoto (THE LAST EMPEROR) and Basement Jaxx, among others.

Set in the year 2131, after most of the world has been devastated by war, APPLESEED chronicles the battle between mankind and bioroids, a race of cybernetic pseudo-clones designed to aid humans in domestic capacities. But when ideologies flare and aggression rises to the surface, the thin veneer of peaceful coexistence is shattered.

Geneon Ent. (USA) Inc. (www.Geneon-Ent.Com) is a full-service producer and distributor of entertainment software including film, music, animation and television shows on VHS, DVD and CD. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Geneon Ent.s parent company is Tokyo-based advertising giant Dentsu, Inc.